Updating a firmware image using a firmware debugger application

A non-transitory computer storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

• initiate a debugging sequence in a target computer system utilizing an initial firmware image, wherein the initial firmware image comprises a debugger driver and a plurality of firmware modules;
• establish a communications link between the target computer system and a host computer system;
• detect an error during the debugging sequence associated with a problem firmware module within the initial firmware image;
• notify the host computer system of the error via the communications link;
• receive, at the target computer system, an updated firmware image from the host computer system via the debugger application, the updated firmware image comprising a replacement firmware module for replacing the problem firmware module within the initial firmware image and a designated entry point;
• execute instructions received from the debugger application to load the updated firmware image into memory of the target computer system and to pass control of the initial firmware image to the designated entry point of the updated firmware image such that the debugging sequence continues from the designated entry point of the updated firmware image;
• and
• store an error-free module from at least one of the initial firmware image or the updated firmware image to create a firmware for the target computer system.

A method of debugging a firmware image, comprising:

• initiating a debugging sequence in a target computer system utilizing an initial firmware image comprising a debugger driver and a firmware module;
• establishing a communications link with a host computer system via a debugger application on the host computer system, the communications link being established for use during the debugging sequence;
• detecting an error during the debugging sequence associated with a problem firmware module within the initial firmware image;
• notifying the host computer system of the error via the communications link;
• receiving an updated firmware image from the host computer system via the debugger application, the updated firmware image comprising one or more firmware modules for replacing the problem firmware module within the initial firmware image and a designated entry point;
• executing instructions received from the debugger application to load the updated firmware image into a memory of the target computer system and to pass control of the initial firmware image to the designated entry point of the updated firmware image to allow the debugging sequence to continue from the designated entry point of the updated firmware image;
• identifying an error-free module within at least one of the initial firmware image or the updated firmware image during the debugging sequence;
• and
• storing the error-free module in a non-volatile memory to create a firmware for the target computer system.